Tite Kubo gave Aizen the most menacing scene while making sure no other series can compete with Bleach when it comes to twists.

SUMMARY

Tite Kubo gave Bleach the most intense twist during the Fake Karakura Town arc when the Gotei 13 stabbed Momo while thinking it was Aizen.
Aizen’s full strength and maniacal personality came into display, making him one of the most unhinged villains.
Very few other anime/manga can take over this overwhelming twist in Bleach.

Aizen is the overarching antagonist in Bleach. Even after the appearance of Yhwach, the Quincy King, Aizen’s unhinged acts still stand superior. Tite Kubo gave him some truly terrifying moments in the series, but one scene triumphs all others.

Tite Kubo is the king of twists. From Uryu Ishida switching sides, Ichigo’s mixed parentage, and Yoruichi’s true form to Aizen’s d3ath, Bleach fans have been taken by surprise way too many times. But nothing could have prepared them for the deranged scene in which the Gotei 13 stabbed away at Momo, all the while thinking it was Aizen.

The moment when Aizen won his unhinged antagonist title in Bleach

Hitsugaya thought he stabbed Aizen in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot

Towards the finale of the Fake Karakura Town arc, Aizen has a battle with The Gotei 13 and the Visored. The sequence involved a huge fight between some superior captains and Aizen, but the result was the biggest twist known to mankind. In fact, it could even rival the twists in some of the most popular series like One Piece or Naruto.

Some of the most notable people who went against Aizen were Toshiro Hitsugaya, Shunshui Kyoraku, Saijin Komamura, and Sui Feng, all of whom are captains from the Gotei 13. Not to mention Genryusai Yamamoto, the commander of the Gotei 13 himself. Yet, Aizen managed to befuddle all of them with no exceptions.

After the captains were done gashing and slashing at Aizen and Hitsugaya impaled him from behind, everyone proclaimed that the captains had finally won. Only for a shocked Ichigo to shout at everyone and ask what the hell they were doing. When everyone looks back at Aizen, they are terrified to see it isn’t Aizen but Momo, who Hitsugaya had stabbed.

The explanation behind Tite Kubo’s insane twist in Bleach

Hitsugaya actually stabbed Momo in Bleach | Credits: Studio Pierrot

After recovering from the shock, Shinji asked Aizen how long he had been using his hypnosis powers. Aizen calmly explains that Kyoka Suigetsu’s power is total hypnosis, by controlling all five senses at all times. He had been using his power all along, making everyone except Ichigo perceive Momo as Aizen.

Fans have been confused as to why Ichigo never warned anyone else about who they were attacking before it was too late. But Kyoka Suigetsu takes complete control over the senses. Thus, Ichigo might have been screaming all along, but no one could even hear him due to Aizen’s manipulation.

Aizen in Bleach by Tite Kubo | Credits: Viz Media

As to why Aizen chose Momo to take his place, it could have been to give the Gotei 13 additional trauma. Momo was especially close to Hitsugaya, and Aizen made him deal the final blow to her, which eventually made him shout in pain. In the end, Tite Kubo successfully made the most interesting and villainous character in existence.